A breath of fresh air

Flogas has been involved in the supply of Autogas for over 20 years, since the days of the oil crisis in the mid-seventies when the use of LPG as a motor fuel expanded mainly for price reasons. Further evidence of potential problems were evident during the fuel dispute of 2003, where fleet managers who had an LPG Autogas policy experienced no significant disruption to their operations.

Flogas operates in both Ireland and the UK and we are able to draw upon the experience of our colleagues in Ireland. This, combined with extensive knowledge of LPG dispensing systems in the UK, ensures that we can offer the best possible advice on gas conversions and the most suitable, efficient and safe Autogas installations.

Flogas UK Ltd have also been recognised by the Fleet Managers in the UK as being the best, culminating in the "FUEL SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR" award by VFM Magazine at the prestigious Green Fleet Awards. Flogas UK Ltd were also rewarded by the Institute of Transport Management for being "BEST IN SECTOR" in 2000 and again in 2002, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to our customers.

FLOGAS AUTOGAS "A breath of fresh air"

LP Gas is gaining increased support as an environmentally friendly automotive fuel, particularly in town and cities where heavy duty vehicles and public fleets cause specific pollution problems. Considerable improvements in emissions from LP Gas powered vehicles have taken place in recent years when using the latest technological equipment. New manufacturer's vehicles look likely to exceed Euro Level 3 and in some cases Euro Level 4 emissions. Recent tests have shown the following advantages for LP Gas.

LP GAS emissions*

Compared to petrol

• 75% less carbon monoxide
• 85% less hydrocarbons
• 40% less oxides of nitrogen
• 87% less ozone

Compared to diesel

• 90% less particulates, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide
• 50% less oxides of nitrogen

* based on tests undertaken at Millbrook

Department of health statistics suggest that particulates are responsible for several thousand deaths each year and many thousand of cases of illness and reduced activity. Road transport is the largest single source for particulates and LP Gas can reduce these emissions by 90% compared to diesel.

The other pollutant highlighted by the governments 'Local Air Quality Strategy' report as causing significant problems and requiring further measures to meet the set targets are Oxides of Nitrogen. As shown above, using LP Gas can make substantial reductions in Oxides of Nitrogen emissions.

Noise is another pollutant causing increased concern, as stated in the governments 'New Deal For Transport' White Paper. LP Gas engines are 50% quieter than diesel.

A WORLDWIDE SUCCESS

Although the UK has one of the highest concentrations of vehicles per mile of road in the world, it is amongst the lowest using LP Gas powered vehicles. Other countries have recognised its environmental advantages and encouraged its development, with over 5 million vehicles now in operation worldwide. In the UK we currently have only around 70,000 vehicles running on LPG; however this figure is increasing at a rate of 2,000 vehicles plus per month. With suitable fiscal incentives from the Government it is anticipated that this number will increase substantially over the next few years.

In Japan, which has specific congestion and pollution problems, virtually all the taxis run on LPG and the country has the highest usage of automotive LPG in the world. Italy has the highest number of vehicles running on the fuel with around 1,100,000 followed by Australia with 490,000, North America with 400,000 and the Netherlands with 360,000.

REFUELLING - RETAILING

At the present time in the UK there are around 1,200 LPG refueling stations. The rate of growth is accelerating and at present there is a new forecourt becoming operational at the rate of one per day. However, the LPG industry continues to invest heavily in the new infrastructure and it is anticipated that one in every five forecourts in the UK will have an LPG refueling facility, providing the fiscal incentives are maintained by the Government.